California Fishing and the Ocean Workshops

*Applications for workshops are currently closed and will reopen when new workshops have been scheduled. Any application submitted below will not be saved. Follow our Facebook page for announcements.

You're Invited to Come Fishing With Us!

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW) California Fishing Passport program would like to help more men, women, and children who are new to fishing to get out on the water and enjoy California's many fishing opportunities! To do so, we are offering free Ocean Fishing Workshops to teach people about California's many ocean fishes, the environment they live in, and how to fish for them. If you would like to attend a workshop, sign up using the form below and stay tuned for an announcement of workshop dates and locations in 2018.

Registration for these two-day ocean fishing workshops is open to adults and children (8 years old and above) that are new to fishing. If you are new to California or saltwater fishing or want to introduce a friend or family member to saltwater fishing, we encourage you to sign up for this exciting and unique experience!

The first day of the workshop (Saturday) starts out in a classroom setting as marine scientists talk about ocean conservation and changes occurring in the marine environment, offer insights into the locations and habitats where different types of fish reside, and discuss biological information about local fish. Fishing Passport staff and fishing pros also share local knowledge and fishing tips, fish identification pointers, marine protected area information, and ethical angling practices. The class then moves outside where fishing pros teach basic fishing skills and techniques and offer tips on how new anglers might fish more successfully. This hands-on instruction teaches participants about the fishing gear and tackle to use in different situations, knot tying, casting and retrieving, and fishing techniques. At the end of the day, local wildlife officers talk about which fishing regulations are most important to know before heading out to fish.

On the second day (Sunday), all workshop participants are given the opportunity to put their new fishing knowledge and skills to work during a fishing activity (charter boat fishing, pier fishing, etc.) with Fishing Passport staff, Fishing Passport Ambassadors, Fishing Pros and Experienced Volunteer Mentors!

To sign up, completely fill out the form below and click "Submit". Applicants may alternately download this form (PDF) and mail it to the address on the form. Every adult who wishes to participate in the workshop must fill out their own form with their preferences for what they hope to learn, and describe how they hope the workshop will benefit them. Successful applicants will be notified via email before each workshop. Workshop attendees are responsible for obtaining needed fishing licenses and validations (required for those age 16 and older). Space is very limited, so sign up today! Once workshops fill, new applicants will automatically be placed on a wait list.

For more ocean fishing workshop information, be sure to check this web page often or follow us on Facebook for all of the latest news.

Provide first names, last names, and ages of the children in your party

1. What would you (and others in your party) most like to learn from this workshop?

What kind of fishing rods, reels, and tackle to use, and how to use themHow to identify common ocean fish species that you might catchRegulations for fish species you would like to catchAbout ocean conservation, responsible angling (fishing) and a bunch of fun factsWhat game wardens do and how they patrol and protect ocean resources

19. Do you and/or your family enjoy outdoor recreation? If so, which do you enjoy most? SELECT number indicating your preference, with 1 being the most favored.

Fishing

12345

Camping

12345

Hiking

12345

Photography and.or wildlife and bird watching

12345

Road Trips

12345

Your family doesn't often enjoy outdoor recreation.

20. How many times in a calendar year do you participate in one or more of the outdoor activities listed above?

21. How satisfied are you with the amount of fishing you do in a year?

Very satisfiedSatisfiedAlmost satisfiedNot satisfied at all No opinion

22. What typically hinders you from having a satisfactory amount of chances to go fishing?

Lack the gearDon’t have enough moneyDon’t know how to fish well enough/for other speciesDon’t know where to goDon’t’ have people to go fishing withDon’t have the time to spend fishingDon’t live near fishing locations